2006.03.03: March 3, 2006: Headlines: COS - The Gambia: Kansas State Collegian : Nathan Kettle returned from the Peace Corps where he served from 2003-2005 in Gambia, Africa, in a village of 600 people

Nathan Kettle returned from the Peace Corps where he served from 2003-2005 in Gambia, Africa, in a village of 600 people

"I loved my time there, especially going to the market, where I would sometimes spend 15 minutes buying a mango," Kettle said. "You get to talking to the people, joking around and sharing proverbs, and then they ask you to marry their daughter. You tell them you have no goat and no money, so you can't marry her, and it turns into a very humorous and positive experience."

Nathan Kettle, assistant specialist in geography, is the most recent K-Stater most to return from the Peace Corps. He served from 2003-2005 in Gambia, Africa, in a village of 600 people. Living in a single room, mud block hut, Kettle said he did most of his activities with his host family.

"I loved my time there, especially going to the market, where I would sometimes spend 15 minutes buying a mango," Kettle said. "You get to talking to the people, joking around and sharing proverbs, and then they ask you to marry their daughter. You tell them you have no goat and no money, so you can't marry her, and it turns into a very humorous and positive experience."

Kettle said he worked with agriforestry extension, where he helped develop crops and gardens.

He also worked with children on art, math and geography. Together with his class, they made a mural, and after they were finished, he said they threw a "spaghetti party," which the children had never tasted before.

"It's important to integrate yourself into the community," Kettle said. "We carved pumpkins on Halloween together. I learned a lot about their culture, and they also learned about mine."

When this story was posted in March 2006, this was on the front page of PCOL:

March 1, 1961: Keeping Kennedy's PromiseOn March 1, 1961, President John F. Kennedy issues Executive Order #10924, establishing the Peace Corps as a new agency: "Life in the Peace Corps will not be easy. There will be no salary and allowances will be at a level sufficient only to maintain health and meet basic needs. Men and women will be expected to work and live alongside the nationals of the country in which they are stationed--doing the same work, eating the same food, talking the same language. But if the life will not be easy, it will be rich and satisfying. For every young American who participates in the Peace Corps--who works in a foreign land--will know that he or she is sharing in the great common task of bringing to man that decent way of life which is the foundation of freedom and a condition of peace. "

Paid Vacations in the Third World?Retired diplomat Peter Rice has written a letter to the Wall Street Journal stating that Peace Corps "is really just a U.S. government program for paid vacations in the Third World." Director Vasquez has responded that "the small stipend volunteers receive during their two years of service is more than returned in the understanding fostered in communities throughout the world and here at home." What do RPCVs think?

RPCV admits to abuse while in Peace CorpsTimothy Ronald Obert has pleaded guilty to sexually abusing a minor in Costa Rica while serving there as a Peace Corps volunteer. "The Peace Corps has a zero tolerance policy for misconduct that violates the law or standards of conduct established by the Peace Corps," said Peace Corps Director Gaddi H. Vasquez. Could inadequate screening have been partly to blame? Mr. Obert's resume, which he had submitted to the Peace Corps in support of his application to become a Peace Corps Volunteer, showed that he had repeatedly sought and obtained positions working with underprivileged children. Read what RPCVs have to say about this case.

Why blurring the lines puts PCVs in dangerWhen the National Call to Service legislation was amended to include Peace Corps in December of 2002, this country had not yet invaded Iraq and was not in prolonged military engagement in the Middle East, as it is now. Read the story of how one volunteer spent three years in captivity from 1976 to 1980 as the hostage of a insurrection group in Colombia in Joanne Marie Roll's op-ed on why this legislation may put soldier/PCVs in the same kind of danger. Latest: Read the ongoing dialog on the subject.

PC establishes awards for top VolunteersGaddi H. Vasquez has established the Kennedy Service Awards to honor the hard work and service of two current Peace Corps Volunteers, two returned Peace Corps Volunteers, and two Peace Corps staff members. The award to currently serving volunteers will be based on a demonstration of impact, sustainability, creativity, and catalytic effect. Submit your nominations by December 9.

Friends of the Peace Corps 170,000 strong170,000 is a very special number for the RPCV community - it's the number of Volunteers who have served in the Peace Corps since 1961. It's also a number that is very special to us because March is the first month since our founding in January, 2001 that our readership has exceeded 170,000. And while we know that not everyone who comes to this site is an RPCV, they are all "Friends of the Peace Corps." Thanks everybody for making PCOL your source of news for the Returned Volunteer community.

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Story Source: Kansas State Collegian

This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - The Gambia

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